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Event Description:The Human Library is a diversity initiative sponsored this year at Purdue by the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life in partnership with Purdue Libraries and Krannert School of Management.

Launched in Denmark in 2000, the Human Library (www.humanlibrary.org ) is a global movement designed to promote respectful dialogue to reduce biases and encourage understanding. In this library, the “books” are people – volunteers who agree to share their life stories. “Readers” check out books for an open conversation. Volunteer books do not prepare a speech; instead, they come ready to engage in conversation. During the 30-minute dialogue, readers are encouraged to ask questions and share perspectives, but always with respect for the book volunteer.

The Purdue initiative aims to do the following:
• Reduce bias among people of diverse backgrounds
• Provide a safe platform to learn about others’ experiences of exclusion or marginalization
• Demonstrate the value of dialogue to improve understanding
• Provide students opportunities for listening, empathy and self-reflection

WHEN: April 1, 2019, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: PMU Ballrooms
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public